Screenwriter: Michael Soccio
Director: Harald Zwart (Agent Cody Banks)
Actors: Jaden Smith (The Day the Earth Stood Still), Jackie Chan (Super Cop) and Taraji P. Henson (I Can Do Bad All By Myself)

Labels: film, Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith, movie trailer

As a rule I loathe films with Jack Black. I know the man has his fans, I ain’t one of em’. If I want to see an out of shape, unwashed guy act kooky I’ll ask my brother-in-law about politics. I don't think there is a film with Jack Black that I have enjoyed, until now.

Along with my rule about films with Jack Black, I have another regarding non-Pixar animated movies – in short, they stink. Pixar revolutionized big budget animated movies and have established the measure for the genre. Animated movies now fit into two categories, 1) Pixar movies forgettable animated crap. This is the first animated film (except Wallace & Gromit) made in the last twenty that has made it into the first group from the second. The story centers around a bumbling Chinese panda named Po. Po dreams of fighting alongside his heroes Furious Five -- Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey. Predictably enough, he gets his chance when he is accidentally chosen to join their ranks and do battle with the villainous snow leopard Tai Lung. The plot isn’t brilliant; actually it is rather paint-by-the-numbers. The film works because of the clever dialog and animation. The script by former King of the Hill writers Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger is lighthearted yet smart. The cast, which includes Black along with Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Ian McShane and Seth Rogen is given plenty of space to perform and they each deliver. I have to admit that even Jack Black gives an impressive performance as Po. As much as I hate to admit it, he was the best choice for the role.

A majority of animated films, despite that they are made to be viewed by small children, are loaded down with sexual innuendos, political agendas and scatological jokes. This film avoids those traps and delivers a solid, family friendly film worthy of your consideration.




Related Reviews:
Animated movies
Robots (2005)
The Incredibles (2004)


Other Critic’s Reviews:
Film Freak Central Review
FilmGeekz

Labels: Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, film, Jack Black, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, movie review, Seth Rogen

I've always felt Dreamworks Animation has the sense of trying too hard. I consider them to be a poor man's Pixar. Where Pixar focuses on sharp stories and clever writing (The Incredibles, Finding Nemo), Dreamworks tries to match up by pulling out extensive cast lists and petty pop-cultural references (Over the Hedge, Shark Tale). Of course, you can have as many brand name actors as you want, but if your writing stinks so will your movie.

Hopefully, this outing will be different than what we've seen before...I see they've already pulled out the extensive cast list...

Labels: Angelina Jolie, animated, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Black, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen

Labels: Chris Tucker, comedy, film, Jackie Chan, movie review